Foundation supports annual Kent’s Fest set Friday at LHU

LOCK HAVEN -- It is a very special event.

Held as an annual celebration that provides an opportunity for individuals with exceptionalities in the local community to showcase their musical abilities and talents, Kent's Fest returns tomorrow after a hiatus due to the pandemic.

And Dr. Erica Moore, Lock Haven University associate professor and Department Campus Lead of Exceptionality Programs, couldn't be more excited.

"I have been so fortunate to have direct connections to Kent's Fest since I was a special education administrator in the Keystone Central School District. Upon transitioning to LHU in 2012, I was extremely excited to take the lead in facilitating this special event," Dr. Moore said.

The event, set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, April 21, in the East Campus Gymnasium on West Main Street, is named after Mr. Kent Glossner, an LHU special education alumni, who passed away in 2001.

The event is free and open to the public.

"It is truly a heart-warming day in which Lock Haven University can offer an event on campus that means so much to the community," Dr. Moore said.

The event is supported by a $5,000 grant from the Clinton County Community Foundation Inc., for which Dr. Moore said she is "immensely grateful."

The grant supports the event and, importantly, the participants.

Kent's Fest, which has not been held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, provides a musical talent show for children and adults with disabilities from Clinton, Centre and Lycoming counties. In 2019, more than 450 participants were involved, with more than 500 community members in attendance.

"The number of individuals with exceptionalities that participate in Kent's Fest each year does vary. We are generally over 450 participants. For 2023, we have 37 classrooms from nine school districts throughout Clinton, Centre and Lycoming counties. T-shirts have been purchased locally for approximately 550 attendees (students and classroom teachers)," Dr. Moore explained.

"On the day of the event, we have music, special performances, dancing and an awards ceremony. The day is a welcoming environment filled with smiles, laughter and pure love!" she added.

All LHU students helping in the planning and implementation of the event are volunteers.

"The Foundation grant funds have allowed each teacher and student attending the event to be given a Kent's Fest T-shirt based on the yearly theme. These t-shirts are truly cherished for years.

"In 2023, the T-shirts are based on the theme, Road Trip USA, and have been designed by Rachel K. Creations in downtown Lock Haven," Dr. Moore explained.

"It is vital to establish continued support to our local businesses and community; therefore, Kent's Fest is a perfect opportunity to build these collaborative efforts."

Besides the Clinton County Community Foundation, event sponsors include the Son's of Italy of Lock Haven.

For more information on the Clinton County Community Foundation and how to contribute to your cause, visit www.clintoncountyfoundation.org.